Dog Training – Dog Language. Image : http://www.flickr.com. Many people find it difficult to train their puppies because they cannot comprehend dogs’ behavior. Well, that should not be so difficult if only we’d stop being so busy …

dog training tip is to have him leashed and under controlled settings as you acclimate your pet to new situations. Try to make your pet feel safe, with reassuring words and even removing your dog if he or she …

Despite what it seems to be from a distance, dog training doesn’t need you to be a fearless Hercules, all it asks of you is to keep a few basics in mind. First, establish who the boss is, remind your dog again and again that you are the one on two feet while he is still on all fours, and thus what you say is Gospel and what he barks is not. Second, speak in a tone which oozes superiority, something on the lines of your first grade math teacher. Third, routine is everything so keep your training tactics consistent. Once you master these three techniques you will be the master of every single dog around!

Your heart might melt into a mush every time your cute little pup cocks his head, but don’t let that get in the way of your establishing who the master is. Go gooey eyed too frequently and you are likely to pay with your carpets and sandals, which it will most merrily chew through. Treat your pup the way you would treat a little kid, setting it strict boundaries and letting it know what goes and what most definitely doesn’t. Establish gestures like pointing etc. which will give the dog a cue to act in a certain way.

You might not think it possible but dogs, like your kids, can tell when you mean business, slacken up a bit with them and they’ll know you can be taken for a ride. Interestingly enough they also have this instinct for intonation; be strict when you want him to stay put at the yard, but be enthusiastic when you are asking him if he would like to go for a walk. It’s funny how you’ll see your own mood reflected in his responses. This is the primary step for you to establish the kind of communication with your dog which will allow you to calm him or set him up for work with a single word.

One of the main methods of training your dog is to keep a certain consistency in your approach towards him. Keep your intonations, gestures and words for expressing dissatisfaction the same every time, so that he gets used to the idea easily. A young pup who grows up with a certain set of commands will respond to them more promptly than one who is frequently confused by conflicting orders. The more consistent your commands are, the better trained your dog is, the better trained your dog is the greater your confidence in him regarding his obedience to you. A few other ways of establishing consistency are to use the same door when taking your doggie out for a walk, give him the same kind of pat every night before retiring for the day, so that he knows exactly what time it is.

Little things like these will help you predict your dog’s behavior more accurately.
Most importantly, however, remember to shower your love and affection on the little one, continue your training through little games which he might enjoy, and remember to treat him every time he does a task well, after all like a child it too needs to be appreciated and given its bit of fun.

One of the most common questions that many people have about the training process is the best type of equipment to be used.

This is certainly understandable as a major component in successful training is the equipment that you use. There are many types of collars, leashes, muzzles, and crates. Use the information below to help you gain an understanding of their uses, then determine the type that you think will be most beneficial and comfortable for your dog.

Collars

There are a variety of different collars available. Choose the one that is most appropriate for your dog and his needs.

Flat or Buckle Collar

This type of collar is fit around the dog’s neck. These are available in a variety of materials such as nylon, leather, and cloth.

This collar is good for basic restraint for dogs that do not pull forcefully on a leash when walking. If he pulls too hard on the leash, he will choke or gag against the force of the collar. If you need to train your dog not to pull on a leach, this is probably not your best collar.

Halter or Head Collar

This type of collar is fitted on the dog’s muzzle and neck. It basically serves the same purpose as a halter on a horse, meaning when his head goes in one direction, his body will follow in the same direction.

The head collar does not use very much force so there is very little pain for the dog, yet there is a maximum amount of control so the dog will move in the direction you want him to.

A head collar can be somewhat uncomfortable for a dog to wear. Some dogs don’t accept a head collar, even when he has been wearing it for several weeks. For example, they may stand still and refuse movement, or they may try to remove it with their paws or other objects.

Martingale

This is a slip collar that looks like a typical collar yet it can only be tightened to a certain point. This way, the dog will be comfortable, but it will also give the owner a fair amount of control. This is a very easy collar to fit. It can either be slid over the dog’s head, or it can snap around the dog’s neck.

An advantage to a Martingale collar is that it can not be easily removed from the dog’s neck-even if he is pulling backwards. It has a restricted range of tightness that prevents the dog from choking. However, the Martingale does not work effectively if the dog is a consistent puller.

Choke Collar

A choke collar is a training collar that should only be used for extreme cases of aggressive training. This collar tightens around the dog’s neck when it is jerked. The tension is released when you let up. A choke collar can be very dangerous if it is not used properly. If you choose to use this type of collar in training, it is essential that you know how to use it and that you use it with the utmost care. If you don’t, you could traumatize and hurt your dog.

Harnesses

A harness is a device that wraps to the dog’s body, with the leash attached at the top of the dog’s back at the shoulder blades. This is different than a collar because a collar only controls a dog at the neck or head. A harness distributes the dog’s pulling force evenly across his chest and shoulders, which can actually allow the dog to pull even harder.

There are several styles of harnesses to choose from, so pick the one that is most comfortable to the dog. The regular harnesses are usually pain-free for the dog and are useful for dogs that have had previous neck injuries.

Hopefully this has provided you with some of the information that you need to understand the equipment that can be used in the training process. Through good quality dog training resources, you will be able to gain the information you need to make the training process much easier for both you and your dog.
Sharda Baker

Ever since the internet got popular, there have been several great pet sites that have been hosted. With time, some of them just fizzled out and some of them became real superstars.
Of those sites, there is one that caught our attention – Kingdom of Pets.
As soon as you log onto the site, you will notice the introduction saying that the site is not built by business people, but by a team of vets, pet owners, and animal lovers. That feels nice if you are a pet owner. Every inch of the site is designed keeping in mind your love for animals, and whether you are looking for help in handling your dog, cat, or even fish, you will find all the necessary inputs and tools right here.

Another advantage of the site is the forums. For instance, the cat forum is pretty popular among the users, and the questions and answers are real experiences from real cat owners. That is a pleasant experience indeed, when compared to the bot-like FAQs normally posted on sites.

With a complete selection of DVDs, downloadable books, free resources and forums, this is one site that you can’t afford to miss if you are pet owner. The best part of the site is the ‘Free 6 day training course for dog owners’. Day wise, the site experts have made an easy to use and practical guide to training your dog right in your house. By the time the 6 days are done, you will see a different dog altogether – one that is well mannered and responds to your commands. Once that is done, you can look forward to using the other resources on the site.
Overall, a true pet blockbuster this one is!

There are two stages to dog chewing. One is when the dog is getting teeth for the first time, and feels the need to chew on something to alleviate the itch in the mouth! Whatever you put within reach of the puppy during that phase is bound to be chewed up – irrespective of whether it is leather or furniture. There is little you can do at that phase, except redirect its chew-energy towards something that is designated to be chewed. You can get something like a soft bone or a chew-toy for your dog, and each time you catch him chewing something else, redirect his energy towards the chew toy. Every time you see him chewing his designated toy, praise him and play with him so that he knows that this is what he should do.

Much like kids, this phase too shall pass, and if you see that an adult dog is chewing on something, you should immediately realize that it is not common for the dog to do that. Like you and I don’t chew on everything within sight, an adult dog too is not susceptible to bouts of chewing- unless he is anxious. Anxiety is the most common reason why you see a dog chewing on anything near him, and now that you know it, you can take corrective action.

There are also sprays available at good pet stores that can be sprayed on objects that you do not want your dog to chew. The taste and the smell become overpowering for the dog and it won’t go near. Don’t worry – the ones that you find in the popular stores are all tested and are safe.
If the matter persists, time for you to meet an expert, or probably a vet. There might be some other reason beyond the common realm causing your dog to chew.

Dog Training Basics

Every dog owner has a dream of teaching his dog to follow every command he utters. There are hundreds of things which dogs can be trained to do, and the best part is that you can do it yourself!

If you are serious about training your dog, you need to get a professional’s help – especially if the dog you have is a large one. There are breeds of dogs that are famous for being trainable by the most novice trainer; and there are breeds of dogs that are well known to pose challenges to the most experienced trainers.

Here are the six basic commands of dog training.

• ‘Bark’ and ‘Quiet’ are the first of the basics.
• ‘Drop’ is the next command – and one that will come in very handy when your dog picks up something that you don’t want him to tear up.
• ‘Sit’ is the first command that creates a little challenge for you – but one that you, and the dog, will enjoy. This simple command will take a little time for your dog and you to master, but is one of the best ‘show off’ commands.
• ‘Stay’ is the next command, and is in fact, an essential one. Over a period of time, you can teach your dog to stay on your command, and a well trained dog won’t move till you ask it to.
• ‘Come’ is one of the most popular commands. You can easily teach your dog to come to you, provided you follow a manual that is proven.
• The last basic command is to ‘Lie down’, and once you spend a little time each day with your dog trying to get it used to the command, it becomes great fun for you and for the dog too!

These are the basics of dog training, and the process is one of great fun!